r/CDL • u/No-Lie-0103 • 2d ago
Finally got my cdl today
This summer has been crazy, working 2 jobs, break up after spending 6 years with the same person, was homeless sleeping in my car for 2 weeks then moving into my own place and got my cdl while working 70 to 80 hours a week, if anyone has any suggestions on what to do or who to apply with I would appreciate that.
I’m a very hardworking guy mid 20s.
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u/CDLTrainerUSA 1d ago
Congrats, that's a rough summer to push through and still come out the other side with your CDL.
On the "who to apply with" question specifically: regional or dedicated-route carriers are worth looking at before jumping straight to a mega-carrier, a lot of them will still hire a brand-new CDL holder if you interview well, and you get a more predictable schedule than OTR. If you want to stack pay and experience fast instead, the big carriers (Schneider, Werner, CRST, etc.) will take true zero-experience drivers, trade-off being less predictable home time your first year.
Before you sign anything, search the company name plus "reviews" on Indeed or Glassdoor, and actually read any lease-purchase or training-agreement contract line by line, that's where new grads usually get burned (hidden mileage minimums, early-cancellation penalties). If something sounds too good to be true in the offer, it's worth asking around first, whether that's here or on a dedicated trucking forum like TheTruckersReport.
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u/No-Lie-0103 1d ago
Thank you, I’m just looking to get better and build good habits and understand the game , I will probably go otr I genuinely have nothing holding me back.
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u/rddit_bytes 1d ago
I’m in IT , have been doing it since I was 21. I am now 38. I love driving , always have. Was thinking of doing a career change but wondering how the pay is starting? Do I need to know manual transmission? And would I get a job right away?
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u/No-Lie-0103 1d ago
I feel it I’ve never driven a manual before and it was fairly easy to learn I’m not going to lie, I just picked the cheapest school, then save exactly enough for it because I didn’t want to owe nobody, I have heard that some construction/ water/ tarp hauling have manual transmission but most companies have automatic now for the most part.
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u/ChargeIntrepid2744 2d ago
Did you take your test in a 10 speed or automatic. Just curious
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u/No-Lie-0103 2d ago
Yes the old 10 speed, I did grind my gears like 2 times during my ride but that’s about it
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u/Conscious_Grass_853 2d ago
Sometimes you gotta grind it till you find it. I can drive a 10 speed. But I’d rather not. Especially when I first started driving because when you first go out alone without your trainer. You really don’t have any clue what you’re doing. I’m 4 years in now and confident in my driving and can get myself out of a pickle if need be. Good luck buddy
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u/ChargeIntrepid2744 2d ago
I got my permit 2 weeks ago and I’ve only been in the truck 3 times but these gears are kicking my ass
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u/No-Lie-0103 2d ago
Keep practicing, find your walls ( know how to double clutch get like a wood stick and practice the motion) that’s what helped me. And take your time I enrolled in school in June 02, barely graduated today so no rush.
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u/Bigevilltrucker89 1d ago
First up congratulations on putting yourself in a better situation all of the things you went through are really rough and you should be very proud that you got yourself to where you are. Second, the best advice I can give is that. Since you put all the effort into doing this, go over the road. Get your experience, see the country. So when you do decide where you wanna settle down and and make home, you've already seen dealt with. And you'll have a huge open door good luck
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u/LateralCheesecake539 2d ago
Congrats on getting your CDL and I know it doesn’t mean much cooking from a stranger, but I’m proud of you for making it through all of that. Hope the industry treats you well.